Exploring Deckled Edge Methods for Bookbinding 📖 Sea Lemon

Let's explore ways to make deckled edge pages for bookbinding! Thanks for your suggestions btw, I included a few in this vid 👍
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[@rachelporter6077]

I am an artist and very texture oriented, and I have loved deckled edges my entire life

[@journal_the_junkandrea9579]

I made my own wooden ruler into a textured one. I just cut random chunks out of it with a Stanley knife.. works great and cost little..

[@ZerianisTheWitch]

This is so helpful for DnD campaigns! I can stain the pages AND make the edges look worn now! This is so cool... I'll definently use at least one of these!

[@jackie6036]

Hi Oh I actually really like how these look like in A Series of Unfortunate Events all of the books have decked pages it looks cool

[@AzziesPersonalRecordings]

I've taken rough sandpaper to a finished book blank in my book press for a rough, aged look. Then sprayed it lightly with weak tea to tint the edges of the parchment paper just a bit more.

[@szczypcia]

How did you dry them? Would you say it was successful?

[@AnnieNorthman89]

Now I really want to make a sketchbook with deckled edges! The distressed look on pages is oddly satisfying to me and gives it a unique look 😀

[@bronwynecg]

When I was younger, I used to HAATTTTEEEE when books had these. Now in my old age, I don’t really mind it 😊

[@janicek9399]

RedDragon Smaug 😂🤔 me too!

[@agat787]

I would really love to see some more methods for single page binding cause everything seems to be in signatures and there's a lot of papers which are terrible to fold

[@junkjournalguy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX-ZXnSajNCVsKs

[@maramakesjournals2319]

When I was a teenager, I loved stationery. Wherever we shopped, I gravitated to the stationery section of the store. Anything with a deckled edge was elegant, special, upper-crusty. My husband showed me a book he’s reading. He was impressed by its deckled edges. We noticed not every page was deckled. The deckled pages were slightly wider and regularly spaced thru the book. Less work with essentially the same look. Loving that ripping ruler. Might go on Santa’s list.

[@fantasticmio]

When I worked at the Internet Archive scanning books, I *hated* this edging. We had seven seconds to raise the glass part of the scan bed, turn the page, then lower the glass, and this edging was really tricky to only turn one page at a time. I do like how it looks, though... use the smooth top or bottom of the page for better page turning!

[@rgrdesigns]

Thanks for posting this and reminding me of these techniques. I'd like to make a watercolor journal with paper I actually like. Decked edges would be perfect.

[@HaliaStone]

This is the best for me, since every single time I've tried to cut a straight edge, I can't do it and always get shoddy work. Least with this its supposed to look rough!

[@jepoyamida9502]

What a beuatiful idea and design for texture on the side while flipping through to your artworks, drawings or sketches. Thank you Ms. Sealemon for the great idea!😍😊🤘

[@blondelebanese9922]

Usually I’ve used the wet brush method to create deviled edges. It’s simple and easy to finish your page edges this way, especially when making an art journal with watercolor paper, my favorite substrate. Thanks for sharing your techniques! Annie💕

[@MeeshT]

I wish I'd watched this video when I was making a notebook yesterday! I did use your secret Belgian bookbinding tutorial and I love how it turned out. I always learn so much from you, I'm really happy to see you're back!

[@kittenclaws5775]

I recommend sewing a text block, trimming it flush, and then using low grit (around 80-120 grit) sand paper and buffing the edges

[@danettebutcher4865]

Would you sand to remove the thread, or to retain it?

[@kittenclaws5775]

@@danettebutcher4865 the thread is the side you don't sand

[@danettebutcher4865]

@@kittenclaws5775 so the text box isn’t a square? Maybe just horizontal stitching?

[@kittenclaws5775]

@@danettebutcher4865 not sure what you mean

[@danettebutcher4865]

@@kittenclaws5775 you said to sew a text box, which has me imagining a square. But then you said the thread is the side you don’t sand. Since I’m picturing four sides…

[@SmilyLily1996]

I'm not sure if I saw it on your channel or somewhere else but you could just use something somewhat heavy with an edge and kind of whack the edge of a textblock to indent it. You can also then add a very watery wash of some brown colour(maybe watered down acrylic to also make it waterproof for water colour paper) to make the ridges even more noticeable. I have found that you don't have to be overly careful with pressing the textblock/book if you're just adding thing washes, at least on thicker paper. I think I even once did it just by pressing with my hand.

[@gerilynne1955]

Wayyyyy back in my school days (elementary) paper was harder to come across. So for spelling tests we had to fold our notebook paper in half and tearing it in half. It allowed us to use the other half the following week. Many of us would lick the tearing edge to make an even tear. Our teacher was not happy about that. Lol but it worked. Thanks for showing us this. It's going to save me $35. I was going to buy the cutter that did this. Your way is one less large object in my craft room. Plus I just bought several metal rulers for a dime each. (I know! What a great deal! No longer available.)

[@SapphireCauldron]

Hi Jennifer, firstly I love your videos, they are very well done and always entertaining and informative. I appreciate the time and details you put into every single project you share. Just wanted to share a thought for possible future use of your Original Dual Edge Ripper. I too have this fantastic tool and love the look it provides on most page edges. What I wanted to share is this, same thing you mentioned in your adventures for deckle/feathered edges - a damp q-tip. I actually do use a damp q-tip along the slanted edge of this particular "ripper" before ripping/tearing. It aids with that softer feathered look. It did take a few tries to finally get the amount of dampness on the q-tip given which type of paper I was applying the deckle/feathered edge to. That extra bit of moisture really does add a more delicate looking edge in the "ripping" process. As I said just wanted to share what has worked for me. Thank you so very much for sharing your crafty artist skills with the rest of us. Crafty hugs to you! ~ Goldie

So good to see new bookbinding stuff from you!

[@katpaints]

For watercolor paper, I usually use the fold and slash method. I still have my old bread knife that went through the dishwasher too many times. The handle is rough but the wavy, serrated blade is still sharp. I fold the paper back and forth where I want to cut it until it is weakened and the hold the paper against a wall (great for large papers) and hit at the fold from the inside with the knife. It cuts well and leaves a nice edge. I do need the smaller piece to be big enough to let me get the knife between the two sides. If I'm making a book, I measure the pages, making sure the folion folds will be on the straight of grain - especially with Arches 140 lb cold press since it seems to be the stiffest. I score the lines on the top and bottom edges with a bone folder and then start bending back and forth. I then fold and cut to individual pieces, using the bone folder for the middle crease. I have an old cardboard fabric cutting board that I bought in the early 1960's that I flop onto the bed. It gives me a sturdy enough surface and I can move it as needed. I use the knife to whack at the fold and then move on to the next piece. When I'm cutting it down for painting or other things that does not use up a whole pages, I will cut down only one piece until I get the size I want. I would rather have fewer, larger pieces for my next project.

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

As a paper maker the name deckle comes from the tool called the deckle which is a frame that holds a perimeter of the paper fibres being screened up (with a tool called a mold) from a vat of water with the paper fibres swimming around. The deckle is lifted off and the wet paper on the mold is then deposited to a blanket or board. The mold and deckle are then dipped into the vat of fibres again to pull another piece of paper. The nature of the natural edge is feathery and uneven due to the process of making handmade paper using a deckle and the edge called a deckle edge. This edge then became a feature noted to be on high quality papers but the printing industry has faked it on various papers mostly stationery to boost the status of the products. It is a beautiful feature. So all other methods to simulate the true deckle edge actually create faux deckle edges. And by the way, handmade paper doesn’t have a grain because it isn’t made in the conveyer belt like device which lines up the fibres but handmade paper has fibres going in all directions. I wish you’d called it a feathered edge and not contribute to a misnomer.

[@laurie3881]

This is a very informed post, Deerheart. You sound like you know your stuff about paper-making. But since, with your last sentence, you chose to correct Sea Lemon, I would like to suggest a correction - modification for you. (I normally don't post corrections but I felt your comment warranted it because your last sentence comes across very negatively.) It might be more effective if you said, "I prefer to call it a feathered edge as deckle is a misnomer. " Doesn't that sound nicer? And it gets the message across of how you feel. And you could even add, "faux deckle is perhaps a more accurate description of the techniques you demonstrated".

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

Laurie, yes, I did make it my wish to Sea Lemon. I feel strongly about crafters usurping the hard won skills of artisans by using inaccurate terminology. We are oh too sensitive about being direct to teachers who needn’t be offended because they honour the history of art techniques and welcome learning to become better teachers.

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

I think you are too defensive for Sea Lemon, she doesn’t need it, she is open to learning. And are you The Niceness Police? Come on🥴

[@SeaLemonDIY]

No offense taken 😉 I understand your perspective. I thought putting ‘DIY’ in front of it kind of hints you’re making a faux version of something. Funny, I thought the watercolor sheet I bought wouldn’t have a grain since it had a natural looking edge, thinking it was handmade, but I can see a grain and folds like it has one. I guess it was a faux deckle edge made to look handmade.

[@ellencoffey4431]

@@SeaLemonDIY It might be some kind of mass produced paper with a real deckled edge. Even mass produced paper still has to have some type of raw edge, I think, which would be trimmed off when made into "parent" or final sized sheets. Thanks for a great channel that has really helped me in my bookbinding projects. There are plenty of channels/sites that are either far too traditional (and therefore out of reach for most people), or way too basic (with bad camera work). Yours strikes a really good balance, and the camera work is really well done!

[@kristymcmillan7481]

Thank you for these alternative methods! I have a deckled edge ripper ( which I’ve named Jack the Ripper!) and when you were running your finger along the sharp edges it was making me wince - these rippers are so, so sharp! I’ve had a few nasty cuts from Jack the Ripper when I’ve reached into my drawer to get him!

[@debgamble8368]

Wish I could hit the like button twice! I love these process book binding vids. I’m in my happy place, many thanks ❤️🇦🇺

[@maried4069]

This is an awesome look, I love all of the binding and book design ideas you share. I have made a few using your videos for guidance, so thankful to you for the tutorials. Have a splendid day.

[@jenrothman]

Super helpful and informative video. Thank you so much for sharing your testing process and results.😊

[@lenvadal8558]

Thanks, that was very informative and had many techniques for a deckled edge. I make home made greeting cards and apply vintage photos or skecthes to them, the deckled edge, which I have used before, really puts a great touch to the cards.

[@grape123]

The way I’ve always “cut” my paper down to size was by folding and ripping them. I didn’t realize it had a name! I love the look of it, so lovely.

[@tearalewis7532]

Great video! So many ways to create that yummy edge. I do like using the deckel tool just because I can use it on so many types of papers I use in my books. But I do love the look of wet torn edge on watercolor paper.

[@teresajohnson2790]

Thanks for showing us these methods. I have done the tear with a ruler one, but didn't know about the method with wetting the edge.

[@user-qu6yn5dm4b]

Thanks a ton for explaining the process and showing examples with different papers🙏🏽

[@lescargot.papier]

hi Jennifer!! thank you so much for featuring my book & my shop. i haven't been on KZbin for a while just came across your video today. it really made my day. you are my bookbinding idol!! i have learnt so much from you over the years and all your bookbinding tutorials were the foundation for me to open up my shop. that said, being mentioned on your video is really something special. it's like i've done something right. thanks you again & again.

[@ArtistWizardry]

I'd much prefer deckled edges. No more paper cuts!

[@user-qu6yn5dm4b]

Me too!🙋🏽‍♀️

[@ChrisSeaB]

Funny story. I raised by my grandmother and my nana has two odd habits. 1) She is always throwing away the dustpan and 2) She never uses scissors for straight edges. She always folded the paper using her nails to flatten it. Then use the table to rip it straight. If it was thicker paper she did all the same things with the added step of lightly licking the edge of the fold. Gross I know but the funny part is that until today I never knew what she was doing had a name. 😂😂😂

[@melinahysko7613]

Lol, right???? It works so well,plus, it's not gross,we literally do that with stamps😁

[@melinahysko7613]

Why does she throw the dustpan?

[@ChrisSeaB]

@@melinahysko7613I find it kinda of gross because even though it was dried she is giving the paper to other people to handle. That's why I personally don't lick stamps or envelopes. I use a damp paper towel.

[@ChrisSeaB]

@@melinahysko7613 has for the dustpan. That took us a while to figure out because she didn't even realize that she was doing it but absent mindedly, after she was done sweeping up the dirt. She would, of course, dump the dirt in the trash and then sit the dustpan on top. I'm guess that she does this because when we didn't have a dustpan, for whatever reason, she would use a piece of paper as an alternative and then just throw it away. So she would get in the habit of throwing out her make shift dustpan even when she had a real one. That's my theory anyways. 🤷‍♀️😂😂

[@melinahysko7613]

Sandpaper also smoothes the edges like that,but it's easier if you do a stack of papers.it gives a very smooth edge rather than feathery. I saw that on a video where someone was fixing an old dictionary,tried it on a small diy sketchbook and it works,but it's kinda messy.also rolling the edge of the paper between your damp thumb and pointy finger and then tearing it,will make a texture but it's only good for small details. But as a last minute/just this one paper tear, i usually just fold and lightly lick the folded edge and it works like the water method.

[@niniseconda5839]

I made one distressed book for practice a few months back. To get the distressed look, I held the signature on my left hand, and kept moving it like I was fanning myself with it, and using my exacto knife in the other, as if trying to slice the pages. After, I also tossed my signature up and down, slapped into walls, let it fall on the floor, etc.

[@sherosls]

Thanks for sharing these options!!!

[@franciscavanbochove2465]

Thanks for showing all this methods. I haven’t seen the rulers before, handy!

[@CricketsBay]

Tim Holtz through Tonic Studios has a new deckled-edge maker. It was introduced at Creativation in January 2020 and is modeled on the old photograph decklers used from the mid-1800's to about 1940. Every photographer's shop had to have one.

[@jewelday6812]

I wet the edge of watercolor paper, tear against a ruler then grab hard toothbrush and scrape (outward from the torn paper edge all the way down that edge) while the paper is still wet. It makes it super fluffy after its dried.

[@liezelhaupt7172]

Thank you for this! I had no idea that there are all these different tools available to make deckled edges on paper.

[@CricketsBay]

Great tips. Tfs. I prefer the one with the water, although it does work best on watercolor paper.

[@jenniferwatson7118]

Some projects look really great with the deckled edges!

[@Lemu_with_a_shirt]

I tend to make A7 size books, and always use A4 paper. The only way I can neatly cut paper it folding, and running a knife through the fold. This leaves me with the downside of the paper being smooth, the upside being rough, and the side is smooth on one end of the signatures, rough on the other. I personally really like the look it gives.

[@vwood2]

This is SO helpful! Thank you very much 😊🙏🏼

[@jenthulhu]

Nicely done! I've tried deckled edges before with watercolor paper and had miserable results. These new-to-me techniques are helpful--thank you!

[@jasondeutschbein8102]

OOOO I didn't even know what this was called. Some of my fiction novels have it. It's really cool to me. I feel like using the softer methods would be really useful for those with sensory issues that really hate the sharp edges of a typical page edge.

[@deborahgiles8214]

I have been obsessed with deckle edges for years. I have done the folding/scoring/wetting/tearing technique and I just love the way it looks. I have the little deckle edge scissors that flashed by on the screen at 5:25. I got them a long time ago as part of my deckle edge obsession. Just for the record they are quite awkward to use and don't actually cut very nicely. I'm not a huge fan of the deckle edge they create. But maybe there would be some applications they would be suitable for? Thanks for looking at deckle edges!

[@ryantoth2992]

What a way to create a book page. Great job with the paper work! I feel satisfied! :)

[@bhanani5480]

Such good tips, will use for my journaling and pen pal-ing. My Lemony Snicket set has this deckled edge and I LOVE it 😍❤👍

[@fludrbywest3886]

Jennifer, I was wondering, can the deckled edge be gelded? Do you have a tutorial for the best way for deckled edge ? Thank so much -kindly fludrby 💖✨

[@deannabates1575]

While watching this I thought about the edge on the wax paper box, or aluminum foil box. It’s a flat serrated edge and would probably work.

[@JoDidntHearYou]

YAYYYYY! I’ve been looking forward to this vid! Thank you much, Jennifer!!

[@KellyDsWorld]

Thanks for sharing Jenn

[@karinascreationz3205]

Yay another video 😊

[@loomonda18]

Loved how much research you put into this video!

[@ryantoth2992]

So satisfied! You have the best work throughout your videos! :)

[@LindaLap]

This is great. Thank you. I love the way the pages look.

[@LorenzoGomiero]

What is the best method for a slightly rough 130gsm paper, and an antique looking book? Water and the irregular edge ruler? Thank you for this video!

[@fineartlifestyling]

Super helpful and informative! Love! Thank you!

[@josephkepner5819]

New sub here, I found your book binding videos as I'm about to try some of it myself. I love your videos and instructionals!

[@yazaki37]

You did that with the recipe journal back in 2013

[@sliz.c.5569]

I just tear with my bare hands and love the roughness.

[@jessicagody]

Do you have a tutorial for attaching deckle edge signatures (with a kettle stitch binding) to the inside of a gutted book?

[@melrose8213]

I’m going to take a ruler and wrap it in some dental floss, messily, some wraps/passes with a few more loops in some spots and try to tear the paper along it 😬 wish me luckkkkk

[@Fairyslash]

*remembers The Spiderwick Cronicles* My mom used to read that book to me before bed. They had page edges like that in all their books! Anyone else remember them?

[@afrozakochi5758]

Wow! That's cool!🙂

[@danettebutcher4865]

I’ve used a touch Emory board

[@dr.azizjalane1813]

Thanks

[@ThingOfSome]

On the full-sheet of watercolor paper, the edge is not deckled: it is just a deckle edge. That edge forms in the paper-making process, and it is not an effect done afterwards.

[@LyfMusik]

Can you do a DIY video on how to make a locking journal/diary?

[@sherriena3191]

i use an old breadknife, gives a bttr texture and I already have one, so no having to buy something new :)

[@corfukefi]

Just a thought, will have a go....maybe a hack saw blade?!

[@junkjournalguy]

For more diy textured 📏

[@Discofoxx1]

Did the dual ended deckle edge ruler look like the real deckle edges of WC paper? Or did just ripping the WC paper look more like the real deal? I’m trying to choose between the “original” and the “classing” versions of this ruler for my 140 lb 100% Cotton WC paper. And wondering if it is worth the money.

[@Annabel_Lee1809]

Deckled is my new favorite word. Oh boy..

[@pirroppi]

Any thoughts/suggestions on what to do with the torn pieces? Would really love to try deckled edges but the idea of having a lot of wasted paper scares me lol

[@karenmoore5278]

If you are a card maker you might use them on the front as embellishments for the card.

[@Curmudgeonhero]

Nice❤️ Is there a way to more pages in a signature other than one page at a time?

[@DeathOfTheGoodUser]

When you tear the paper you should tear from the large side, not the little side. But, deckled edges make me happy lol

[@anthonyluke2315]

Every once in a while I'll be lazy and trim a signature with a guillotine paper cutter and it deckles the edge just because it can't cut through that many sheets at once.

[@RadioactiveRoach]

I used to lick the folds to tear them.

[@zechariahsanders8273]

Are deckled edges easy to get rid of? I’ve gotten a couple books with them and they feels so disgusting to touch and look really cheap

[@achoquenao3719]

All my sketchbooks had this, buts it's just cause I lazy and scared to ruin it when I already spend it ao much time in it. I didn't know this was a stylized choice

[@skailerderkonigderdiebe5499]

On my already made journals I just take an xacto knife and run it up and down on the pages

[@Gerry-TFuchs]

tja, es ist nicht einfach für mich, diesen vorgang in englisch zu erläutern ... well, it is not so easy for me, to explain this handling in english ... though sorry me, if there is anything sooooo foolish. onto the box of cling film (frischhaltefolie) a littel stripe of metal is fixed to cut the plastic film so easy. remove this stripe when the box is empty and fix it onto the inside of a simple jig. i made one of two wooden sticks and two simple screws. then you may fix the metal stripe onto one of theses sticks. that's all. fix your paper in that jig and tare a small stripe over the metal stripe. what a greatful border ... for deco but also for a better lumbeck binding. ( lumbeck is a method of binding simple sheets with clue to a broshure or a book.) hope you are to understand my difuse construction oder ...

[@nsavar5864]

What a great idea. Thanks.

[@charlms89]

I'd just woke up when I saw this & thought it said DIY SPECKLED EGGS 😂

[@kattykit1396]

Ok

[@CrixJoki]

I would like to know how the heck you can get a watercolor paper out of a pad that is glued on every darn side, it´s just a small opening, I have tried using a knife (different kinds) with no luck, doesnt seem to matter hwów I go about it, I ALWAYS rip the page :( Is there a speciall trick to get those papers out without damage??? I´m having a huge regret buying that stupid pad....even tho it wasnt an expensive one since I´m on a tight budget....but still...whats the point if I cant remove the paper....yah now... Is it something I´m missing when it comes to take the pages out? do I need to use a heat tool or something? I would really appreciate any tips or tricks....anything at all! :)

[@JeanneGS1]

CrixJoki Hi, those watercolor pads had me confused when I first got one - I did not know about, then could not find that little unglued slot! I don’t know what brand block you are using, but I’ve been able to s-l-o-w-l-y move a thin palette knife - metal or plastic - around most blocks. The pages sometime warp up a little at the edge, and I don’t remember if it better to do when your painting is totally dry or while still damp. You wouldn’t want the next page to get wet, so perhaps dry is best. I don’t use a serrated knife, as I think that would tear. A Paul Reubens block I recently bought came with its own little plastic tool - looks like small bone folder - for loosening the glued edges. Perhaps there are some instructional videos here on KZbin. Lindsay Weirich TheFrugalCrafter has many watercolor videos and I think she covers the subject of paper blocks in several.

[@CrixJoki]

@@JeanneGS1 Thank you for the advice :) I really appreciate it :)

[@danettebutcher4865]

I use a bone folder

[@softgrungewitch]

Tbh you don't even need a metal ruler to do this. I never used to take scissors to school and so to cut things out I used to have to do this with a super cheap plastic Muji ruler and it worked just as well.

[@ryantoth2992]

I was only a few seconds early for this video.

[@kathryndohring5481]

Foot prints?!

[@PrimalEdge]

groovy

[@jesusgeek22]

Ms.sealemon i just see your slime tutorial but you should never use borax because it could make chemical burns in your hands

[@aneeshar1563]

Her deckled edge looks better than mine :/

[@bella-jo8zn]

First

[@khione8044]

When I see a book with a deckled edge, I think "poor quality" and "ugly". Never liked the look, and it gives the feel that the maker didn't put enough time into detail to make it "nice". Just my opinion. I know some people like this look. But it was never very appealing to me.